Miami Heat's James Ennis: 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year

By Will Connolly

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

With the 50th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Miami Heat traded with the Atlanta Hawks for a future second-round pick to acquire the 6-foot-7, 210-pound shooting forward from Long Beach State, James Ennis. Ennis led the 49ers with an average of 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He was also second on the team in three-point percentage and first in free throw percentage at 83.4 percent.

Now, some may question if the Heat even need another star to add to their already stellar roster. But what the Heat are truly lacking is another big shooting forward who can come in and give good hard minutes when LeBron James is in need of a rest. And who better for Ennis to learn from then the four-time NBA regular season MVP.

Shane Battier and James Jones, who are the current back-up shooting guards for Miami are both great three-point shooters, but Ennis will bring an athleticism and versatility that the Heat have been longing for. Also, with Battier turning 34 years old last season and Jones’ minutes dwindling, the 23-year-old Ennis will bring a youthfulness that will provide a spark to the Miami bench.

Although Ennis was not chosen until late in the second round of the NBA Draft, he could be a dark horse for 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year. Most NBA analysts are concentrated on the likes of college superstars like Victor Oladipo, Nerlens Noel and Otto Porter, just to name a few. But one shouldn’t count out the 2013 Big West Conference Player of the Year. Sometimes it’s the ones we overlook the most who turn out to be the biggest stars.